LANDSCAPE‐SCALE ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEMS: PAST,PRESENT, AND FUTURE1

ABSTRACT: Analyses of cumulative impacts to riparian systems is an important yet elusive goal. Previous analyses have focused on comparing the number of hectares impacted to the number of hectares restored, without addressing the loss of riparian function or the effect of the spatial distribution of impacts. This paper presents an analysis of the spatial distribution of development‐related impacts to riparian ecosystems, that were authorized under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Impacts on habitat structure, contiguity, and landscape context were evaluated using functional indices scaled to regional reference sites. Impact sites were mapped using GIS and analyzed for spatial associations. Positive spatial autocorrelation (i.e. clustering of impact sites) resulted from the piecemeal approach to impact assessment, which failed to prevent cumulative impacts. Numerous small projects in close proximity have resulted in adverse impacts to entire stream reaches or have fragmented the aquatic resources to a point where overall functional capacity is impaired. Additionally, the ecological functions of unaffected areas have been diminished due to their proximity to degraded areas. A proactive approach to managing cumulative impacts is currently being used in Orange County, California as part of a Corps of Engineers sponsored Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). The SAMP process is evaluating the ecological conditions and physical processes of the study watersheds and attempting to plan future development in a manner that will guard against cumulative impacts.     

基于LEAP模型的临港新片区中长期碳排放预测及减排潜力分析

基于上海临港新片区现有统计数据,结合其未来社会经济发展、产业结构和技术进步等,构建了LEAP-临港模型,分析了基准情景、低碳情景和强化低碳情景下新片区的能源需求和碳排放演化趋势.为增强模型的预测精准度,采用Logistic人口生长模型对临港未来人口数据进行预测,并利用学习曲线模型模拟相关减碳技术的成本发展趋势.同时,构建了碳减排技术的经济性评价模型,通过绘制边际减排成本曲线对典型减碳技术的经济成本及减排潜力进行评估.结果表明,强化低碳情景下,2060年临港新片区一次能源消费中可再生能源占比达69%,电能在终端能源需求中占比达91%;临港新片区可在2030年实现碳达峰,且2060年碳排放量相较基准情景下降94%.就减排贡献度而言,清洁能源替代、产业结构优化和终端能效提升对临港碳减排起到关键作用,中期（至2035年）分别贡献35.1%、27.3%和16.2%的碳减排量,长期（至2060年）分别贡献50.6%、8.75%和7.7%的碳减排量.就具体减碳技术而言,氢能发电、电解水制氢及碳捕获和利用与封存（CCUS）技术对实现净零排放意义重大,但减排成本相对较高.研究成果可为临港及相关地区的低碳绿色发展提供思路和借鉴.     

浅谈特种设备检验机构的独立性公正性和公益服务性

本文针对特种设备检验的社会化问题进行了探讨,着重对社会检验机构的独立性、公正性和公益服务性问题进行了分析。就如何更好的保证特种设备安全的情况下引进民间资本参与检验以及如何确保检验机构的公正性和公益服务性提出了自己的见解。     

Thermodynamic method for the prediction of solid CO2 formation from multicomponent mixtures

The increase in GHG concentration has a direct effect on global climate conditions. Among the possible technologies to mitigate GHG emissions, CCS is being accepted to gain emission reduction. Such technology also involves cryogenic CO₂ capture processes based on CO₂ freeze-out or where the formation of solid CO₂ must be avoided. Captured CO₂ is usually transported in pipelines for the reinjection.The risk associated to the release of CO₂ is due to the changing temperatures and pressures the system may experience, which can lead to the deposition of solid CO₂ where it must be avoided. Prolonged exposure to dry ice can cause severe skin damage and its resublimation could pose a danger of hypercapnia. It is, thus, necessary to build up a tool able to predict the conditions in which CO₂ can freeze-out.A thermodynamic methodology based on cubic EoSs has been developed which is able to predict solid–liquid–vapor equilibrium of CO₂ mixtures with n-alkanes or H₂S which are usually found in equipment for acidic gas, mainly natural gas, treatment.The focus is a detailed analysis of the method performances when more than two components are present since, for such a case, literature does not provide significant modeling results.     

Gliding arc plasma processing for decomposition of chloroform

The decomposition of chloroform (CHCl₃) diluted in air was studied. The experiment was carried out by using a gliding arc plasma. Different values of initial concentrations of chloroform, total gas flow rates, and input power frequencies have been used to investigate this effects on the conversion reaction products both qualitatively and quantitatively. Experimental results indicate that the maximum conversion of chloroform was 97% at a total gas flow rate of 180?L?h^?1 containing 1% chloroform. Using air as carrier gas, decomposition of CHCl₃ produces CCl₄, CO₂, CO, and Cl₂ as the main products. Small amounts of HCl and COCl₂ are also detected. Liquid products were also produced.     

Quantitative assessment in safety reports of the consequences from the detonation of solid explosives

Safety reports are mandatory documents in member states of European Union whenever any threshold limits of amounts of either stored or processed hazardous substances are exceeded. After a short introduction to EU Seveso Directives on major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances and to the transposition and implementation by member states, with a brief comment on last 2012/18/EU Directive (also known as Seveso III directive), the paper focuses on drafting of safety reports for industrial activities involving solid explosives. Specifically, the quantitative assessment of consequences from detonation is tackled respect to the side-on overpressure and the debris production. Both direct and inverse problems are illustrated to determine respectively the overpressure value at a given distance, and the explosive amount that allows respecting the regulations. Their solution is based on either analytic or numerical techniques and being based on recent scientific publications on the matter either evaluates or zeroes nonlinear algebraic equations. The availability of these equations avoids grounding the consequences assessment on diagrams and nomograms that otherwise would lead to interpretation and usage errors besides avoiding the automatic solution of the inverse problem. The paper focuses also on details such as embankment, crater, munitions, rocket propellant, building structure, and wall material that, at different levels, play a role in the assessment of detonation consequences. A discussion on debris formation, the available literature, and the evaluation of the impact probability of fragments on both fixed and moving targets closes the paper.     

Municipal solid waste management in South Africa: from waste to energy recovery through waste-to-energy technologies in Johannesburg

ABSTRACT

“Waste-to-energy” (WTE) technologies have been presented as one of the avenues to improve the management of solid waste whilst promoting clean and healthy urban environments through the recovery of waste and generation of energy. Research suggests that with the right investment in technologies and institutional changes, waste can potentially become a resource that can contribute to the socio-economic development of cities. It is in this context that this paper presents a review of the literature on WTE technologies and their implications on sustainable waste management in urban areas. The paper particularly contributes to our understanding of WTE technologies and its potential on Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is estimated that the city of Johannesburg’s landfills airspace will be completely depleted by year 2023. This projection becomes a motivation for the identification of suitable WTE alternative avenues to manage waste in the city. The paper argues that WTE technologies can contribute significantly to sustainable waste management, economic growth, ecological and environmental well-being.     

超临界锅炉特种管材氧化皮结构特征及剥落规律

通过对超临界锅炉几种常用的铁素体钢及奥氏体钢高温换热管进行取样分析研究,得到了几种材质在运行中产生的氧化皮的结构特征和剥落规律。     

The effect of barriers on reducing thermal heat fluxes from a hydrocarbon pool fire

The radiant heat flux from a pool fire is frequently calculated using the solid flame model, where the flame envelope is approximated as a stationary cylinder whose surface emits thermal radiation at a constant rate. Radiant heat flux calculations using the solid flame model assume the target to be at a given elevation, typically at ground level, and to have an unobstructed view of the fire. The presence of obstacles (e.g., walls, buildings, etc.) or terrain features that would create shaded areas and provide shielding of a target from the fire is typically neglected in these calculations: this is a conservative approach, but it is not accurate. This paper presents a methodology to utilize the solid flame model to calculate the heat flux to a target while taking into account the presence of an obstruction between the target and the fire. The shielded solid flame method can quantitatively account for the presence of obstacles as a passive mitigation measure and allows project developers or designers to optimize their facility layout to meet safety requirements. The methodology presented in this paper uses the same correlations found in currently used solid flame models (e.g., LNGFIRE3), therefore, it remains consistent with current regulatory requirements for LNG facilities in the U.S.